Chapter 4
Moving across a state is a monumental task; moving across the world feels like rewriting the very laws of your own gravity. For Mary, the process was a relentless triage of a life half-lived, deciding what to keep, what to sell, what to give away. Each possession was a memory, and each decision felt like a small death. She was not just changing jobs or locations; she was severing roots, betting three futures on a single, daring move. The pressure was a constant, heavy load but she bore it, fortified by the unwavering certainty of her goal. And, against the odds, she made it happen.
Their new life in Beijing started in a quiet neighborhood, fully furnished apartment just blocks from the university. It was a practical choice, not too expensive, not overly fancy, but Mary thought it brought good fortune and promise of stability for her sons. Three bedrooms, a…
